Nikolai Karlovich Medtner ： Two Fairy Tales No.2 in c-moll Op.8-2

A dramatic character piece imbued with the tension of C minor. Throughout, restless rhythmic motion and strong momentum create an impression suggestive of a story. The music unfolds around recurring motifs, and one of its chief attractions lies in the contrast between passages of mounting tension and sections that seem to momentarily ease the flow. In performance, the intricate figurations should be kept clear and well coordinated without being rushed, while attention to the direction of the accents helps sustain the forward drive. Supporting the resonance of the bass, bringing out the melody, and taking great care with gradations of dynamics and with pedal clarity will make the work’s shifting shades even more vivid.